February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Jay Mwamba
Celtic midfielder John Lennon has been included in the Northern Ireland squad that meets the Czech Republic and Bulgaria in World Cup qualifiers in the next seven days.
Lennon was the target of sectarian abuse from part of the crowd in the North’s 4-0 drubbing by Norway in a Belfast friendly two weeks ago. The Catholic player later said that he would reconsider his international career before announcing last week that he would not bow to pressure from any quarter.
Lennon has since received the full backing of the Irish FA, which vowed to eject bigots who boo him in his next appearance at Windsor Park.
"Those who come here will be left in no shadow of a doubt of the consequences of sectarianism," a FA source was quoted as saying last week.
The third-placed North (1-1-1, 4 points) face Group 3 leaders the Czech Republic (7) at Windsor Park this Saturday (March 24), and Bulgaria in Sofia next Wednesday.
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Linfield forward Glenn Ferguson is the only player from the Irish league on coach Sammy McIlroy’s side.
The rest of the side comprises goalkeepers Roy Carroll (Wigan Athletic) and Maik Taylor (Fulham); defenders Aaron Hughes (Newcastle United), Gerry Taggart (Leicester City), Danny Griffin (Dundee United), Colin Murdock (Preston North End), Mark Williams (Wimbledon), Ian Nolan (Sheffield Wednesday), and Peter Kennedy (Watford).
Midfielders called up are Stuart Elliott (Motherwell), Jim Magilton (Ipswich Town), Jeff Whitley (Manchester City), Jon McCarthy (Birmingham City), and Damien Johnson (Blackburn Rovers); while forwards David Healy (Preston North End), Andy Kirk (Hearts), Phil Gray (Oxford United), and Adrian Coote (Norwich City) complete the squad.
Other Group 3 qualifiers feature Bulgaria at home to Iceland and bottom side Malta hosting Denmark, both on Sunday; and the Czech Republic versus Denmark in Prague on Wednesday.
Blockbuster
Even without the injured Niall Quinn, Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy has one of the strongest sides he can muster for the less than daunting fixtures against Cyprus and Andorra in Group 2.
McCarthy’s focus could then be on Oporto next Wednesday, March 28, where Irish interests will be best served by a draw in the Portugal-Holland blockbuster.
Luis Figo’s Portugal lead the group by four points over Cyprus (6), who date the Republic in Nicosia on Saturday. Another win over the struggling Dutch, who they beat 2-0 in Amsterdam last year, would not only give the Portuguese a full head of steam, but also put enormous pressure on Ireland’s campaign.
Portuguese coach Antonio Oliveira has injury woes with midfielder Paulo Sousa and defender Jorge Costa both out.
Oliveira, however, has Figo, arguably the world’s best player, at his service and remains optimistic. "It is a vital game for both of us, but I believe the home advantage and our desire to win will lead us to victory," he said.
Holland (4) stop over in Andorra on Saturday, en route to Oporto. Also playing next Wednesday are the Cypriots, who entertain Estonia after the Ireland game.
United force
England manager Sven Goran Eriksson has called up the Manchester United attacking duo of Teddy Sheringham, who’s 34, and Andy Cole as the English attempt to scrap their way up from the bottom of Group 9 with matches againstFinland at Anfield on Saturday and in Albania next Wednesday.
Other notables in the Swede’s 26-man party include the formidable Liverpool trio of Michael Owen, Emile Heskey and Robbie Fowler.
England have only one point in the group led by former world champs Germany (2-0, 6). The Germans could increase their points tally after their engagements with Albania (Saturday) and Greece (next Wednesday).
Gemmill’s comeback
Scott Gemmill’s good run of form with Everton has earned him a recall to the Scottish squad after a two-year absence. The 30-year-old midfielder was last capped in 1999.
Gemmill’s timely return comes as the Scots face an injury crisis ahead oftwo Group 6 home-stands against Belgium on Saturday and San Marino four days later.
Coach Craig Brown’s share first place with Belgium (both 7 pts), albeit the Belgians have a huge edge on goal difference following their 10-1 destruction of San Marino a fortnight ago.
Brown, who watched that match, was impressed with his rivals and two-goal hero Bart Goor in particular.
"Bart Goor is an impressive player and I notice he scored again for Anderlecht in the Champions League," Brown said.
Croatia versus Latvia on Saturday is the other Group 6 match scheduled this weekend.
Qualifying schedule
The rest of the week’s 2002 World Cup qualifying schedule in Europe is asfollows (Saturday matches first): Group 1 — Yugoslavia vs. Switzerland, Russia vs. Slovenia, Luxemburg vs. Faroe Islands.
Group 4 — Sweden vs. Macedonia, Turkey vs. Slovakia, Azerbaijan vs. Moldova. Group 5 – Ukraine vs. Belarus, Norway vs. Poland, Armenia vs. Wales.
Group 7 — Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Austria, Spain vs. Liechtenstein; and Group
8 — Hungary vs. Lithuania, Romania vs. Italy.
Playing next Wednesday in Group 1 — Russia vs. Faroe Islands, Switzerland vs. Luxemburg, Slovenia vs. Yugoslavia. Group 4 — Moldova vs. Sweden, Slovakia vs. Azerbaijan, Macedonia vs. Turkey.
Group 5 — Ukraine vs. Belarus, Norway vs. Poland, Armenia vs. Wales, Poland vs. Armenia, Wales vs. Ukraine, Belarus vs. Norway. Group 7 — Liechtenstein vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, Austria vs. Isr’l; and in Group 8 — Georgia vs. Romania and Italy vs. Lithuania.